Roundabout



(No Model.) v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. F. PRALINGER.'

ROUNDABOUT.

No. 485.495, Patented Nov.v 1, 1892.

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2 Sheet's-Sheet No. 485,495. Patented Nov. 1,1892.

YNitin-21u STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH F. FRALINGER, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY.

ROUN DABO UT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 485,495, dated November 1,1892.

Application filed March 23. 1892.

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

13e it known that I, JOSEPH F. FRALINGER, a citizen of the United States of America, re-

. siding at Atlantic City, in the county of Atlantic and State of New Jersey, have invented certain -new and useful Improvements in Roundabouts, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

It is the object of my invention to provide an apparatus designed for the amusement of pleasure-seekers which will combine the characteristics and effects of a roundabout with those of an observation-tower, up and down which the passengers are moved by an elevating device. I also aim to combine with such apparatus a toboggan-slide or gravityrailroad along which the cars containing the persons are allowed to move after being released from the elevating mechanisms, said toboggan-slide directing the cars to the foot of the tower, where they may be refilled and connected with the elevating mechanism for repeating the round of movement.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side view of the apparatus complete. Fig. 2 is a detail front view, and Fig. 3 aplan view, of the toboggan-slide.

The observation-tower A may be of any well-known skeleton construction. At its base in bearings F is journaled a shaft 2, having at each end within the tower a toothedwheel 3. A similar shaft 4, with wheels or drums 5, is journaled at the top of the tower, and about these drums a sprocket-chain passes, engaging with the teeth thereof. Cross-bars 5X eX- tend between the chains,.and these cross-bars carry the cars 6, which are connected thereto detachably by the pivoted hooks 7 on the bails 8. The tower is of such a height as will answer the purposes of observation and the passage of the cars up overvthe upper drum will produce the desired effect in amusing and interesting the passengers. The cars are automatically released from the elevating-chain on the down side, and for this purpose the chain is passed around idler-drums 11, journaled on a shaft extending across the towerframe, so that a short overhanging section of chain is provided between this idler-wheel and the lower wheel, as at l2, and this permits the car as it reaches the idler-wheel to Sen'al No. 426,077. (No model.)

be firmly engaged throughout its length by the platform or incline 13. This incline, by reason of the slant of the chain at this point, extends underV the same and directly across the path of the car. As soon as the car strikes the incline the movement of the chain will carry the bar below the hook andthe car will then be free to roll down the incline 13, it being provided with suitable trucks 14.' The hook is pivoted to swing backward; but I prefer to limit its forward movement, or toward the chain, so that the' chain will release it.

self from the hook easily and without danger of accident, for it will be noticed that the relation of the parts is such that when the car strikes theincline the cross-bar engaging the hook has yet to pass a short distance vertically before it reaches the slanting part of the chain, and thus there will not be any lateral pull or drag on the hook. The incline 12B-connects with the other portions of the gravity-railway or toboggan-slide, as shown at l5 16, the latter section returning the car directly belowl the lower part of the chain, Where by means of the pivoted hook it can be attached to the desired cross-bar. The hook is pivoted, so that the carriage may be moved to the left, Fig. l, without causing the hook to strike the cross-bars, said hook then being swung downinto position shown. When the car is in proper position, the attendant throws the hook into engagement with the cross-bar from the inside of the chain-circuit,

so that when the car reaches the dischargestation the shank of the hook will 'be on the outside of the chain to be freely disengaged.

The arrangement of the gravity-way is such that the car when it reaches the start-ingpoint on its return faces the proper way for starting again. The car rolls upon a track 20, and t-he momentum acquired by the passl ing down the incline 13 carries it up the upper inclined portion of the middle section, which is inclined reversely to the first section, where it switches onto the track of the latter section, and passes thence to the next section 16, inclined similarly to the first, which returns it to the starting-point. Instead of having the gravity-way formed in sections described, it may curve around from the dischargeto the starting point. Safety-bars 21- connect the cross-bars with each other. Suit- IOO able side rollers 25 may be used on the car, which may bear against the flanges 2G of the inclined way.

I claim as my invention* 1. In combination, the supporting structure, the cars, the carrying means for said cars, the detachable connection between the cars and the carrying means, and the platform eX- tending across the downward path of the cars for arresting the same and causing them to be detached from the carrying means, substantially as described.

2. In combination, the supporting structure, the carrying means, the cars with detachable connections thereto, the platform extending across the downward path ot the cars for arresting and' detaching them from the carryingmeans, and the incline for automati cally leading the car away from the platform, substantially as described.

3. In combination, the supporting structu re, the carrying means consisting of the wheels and the ilexible carrier passing about the same, with a portion running at an inclination, to provide an overhanging portion, the cars with detachable connections to the flexible carrier, and the platform extending across the down path of the cars under the overhangin g part of the carrier, substantially as described.

4. In combination, the tower, the upper and lower wheels, the idler-wheel, the flexible carrier passing over the wheels and having an overhanging section between the idler and the lower wheel, the cars with detachable connections to the 'flexible carrier, and the platform extending under the said overhanging part, substantially as described.

5. In combination, the tower, the elevating means, the discharge-station on the down side of the elevating means, the gravity-way leading from the discharge-station to the starting-point, the cars, and the detachable connections from the same to the elevating means, substantially as described.

6. In combination, the tower, the flexible carrier and drums, the cars, the detachable connections therefrom to the carrier, the discharge-station, and the gravity-way leading from said discharge-station, said way consisting of the reversely -inclined sections with switches between, whereby the cars are returned to the starting-point, facing in the proper direction, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH F. FRALINGER.

Vitnesses:

GEO. T. INGHAM, S. CAMERON HINKLE. 

